These series comprised ten stories, which are mere chapters of a chronic
of what lies before us.
With Simon Auclair won prices, and acceptance from his comrades, and
appreciation amongst his equals.

CHRONICS OF A FUTURE WORLDChroniques des Temps à Venir; Kroniek van een
Toekomstige WereldClaude Auclair: SIMON OF THE RIVERoriginal title: Simon du FleuveSix stories appeared in Kuifje, and five of these in Tintin (the
first cycle); four more appeared right away in album (the second cycle).

Album one, or the second
story, started with only part of the illustration. In the second album the first
illustration is mirrored.

Both not in the weekly. Also not in the English version.

Jason
Muller knew it all: get rid of what is interfering with your solitude before
it can cause you any trouble. He could be bothered by military usurpers housing
in the centres of downtown-area, or by frustrated gangs amidst the ruins of the
cities. Their fear gave him the name ‘Crazy Jason’.

On
the other hand there was Simon. When he was a child, his father was a
slave in one of the cities. He grew up near the river. He helped people
who were victimized by oppression. He hated violence and was never quick
to use it. During his adventures he found a partner, raised a family.
But never was he part of a clan or tribe.

Charles
told us about the very near future as if it already had happened. As a
matter of fact it WAS history.
Although violence is a very old
thing, these developments were new. But let Charles talk: ‘The signs
started to manifest itself in 1967-68, I believe. Restless youth from
several countries all over the world stood up, but to no avail.
Two great powers of old waged an
economical battle with no quarter, either directly, or by means of other
nations who had plunged themselves into this endless war, fighting for
their rights as free people. But energy resources of the planet grew
lesser, and distress calls came from everywhere. Some nations realised,
that they had the weapon of all times:

Oil,
a liquid found beneath the surface. Almost the whole economy of the
super users and other countries was based on its use. The largest
producers deployed it by limiting its outcome, thus creating
difficulties for the world economy, and turning out a hopeless situation.
After several years of confusion several wars broke loose all over the
world, because everybody wanted to control the oil-producing regions.
Being as complicated as it was in
those days, the situation in the world could only be understood on a
schematic level. Minorities rose everywhere, attacking their invaders.
Superpowers became entangled in their ideological contradictions, but
were armed to their teeth with nuclear weapons ready to wipe their enemy
off the face of the earth. They controlled desires to rule, and
succeeded in avoiding total annihilation. Unauthorized governments
confirmed confusion. Disintegrating societies fell apart whenever
discomfort and popular dislike became too much.
Riots broke out everywhere,
rendering police forces overworked.
This blow was felt most in highly
developed countries. A new life had to be learned; everybody in their
own way. People went to the country, founding new communities. Farmers
sharing their harvest with nomadic shepherds, returning crop for meat.
Often enough difficult, but the
will to live was greater. Only well organized groups could survive,
because looters from the remains of the cities became more and more
aggressive.
Political centre points were formed
on several places on the earth, keeping contact to stop further decline
of the human race. A world government was formed, based in each former
capital, wanting to install a new civilisation. (…)
All technical means and every
exploitable energy source were gathered, and made available to these
local governments. Forward bases were erected to gather nomads and
drifters. Their accent lay on the military, and that aroused hostility.
People remembered the past full of bloody incidents against freedom
loving nomads: they were strongly against regrouping.
Parallel with this development all
available scholars were gathered, and these were put to work in research
or practical matters. The goal was twofold: finding new means to stop
deterioration of civilization, and reinstalling industry in the least
struck areas or the most valuable sectors.
Several cities backed away from the
central authority. Leaders were supported by mercenary armies and called
themselves rulers of the cities. Staying in power was all that counted
for them, wanting to install a new totalitarian order.'